Congress loses Assam, BJP way ahead

Guwahati, May 19: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was on the road to victory in Assam on Thursday, having crossed the half-way mark as counting trends became available from almost all the 126 constituencies.

The BJP and its allies were ahead in 64 constituencies. The ruling Congress was leading in 27 seats and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in 16.

Most exit polls had predicted a BJP victory in Assam, where the Congress has been in power for the last 15 years.

In New Delhi, BJP spokesman Sambit Patra told IANS: "It is historic. We are going to make an entry in Assam."

Authorities counted the millions of votes cast in the assembly elections in 51 centres.

In a high turnout two-phased poll exercise, Assam voted on April 4 and 11. A total of 1,064 candidates were in the fray.

IANS